Deb said, “Is he really worth that much money when you consider his age as well as his injury history?”

You mean the injury history where he played nearly 230 consecutive games? The history where he never missed a game from his rookie year until last season? That history?
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Um … no. I mean the history of the last year when he couldn’t throw a pass because of his neck and nerve problems. It’s great that he played in nearly 230 consecutive games. Joe Theisman played consistently until Lawrence Taylor snapped his leg in half, too.

It’s nothing against Peyton. I just try to live in the real world. The guy will be 36 next month and has lost a year to a severe neck/nerve injury. Even healthy, at 36, his playing days would be limited. Any team has to think about that before signing a big check.

]]>By: chefjaysonhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1572294
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:01:08 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1572294Jprcox. “Also, who would want to play for Indy if you treat people who have been dedicated to your city like this?”

Really? Treat people like what exactly? Making him the highest paid rookie? Making him the highest paid qb on his next contract? Making him the highest paid on his next one? Paying him 26 million knowing there’s a possibility he won’t play? Yes…what it must be like to have such horrible working conditions. Why would ANYONE want to be anywhere near that? Please stop talking

]]>By: jprcoxhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571847
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:27:34 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571847For all those Indy fans thinking your team has a choice between Luck and Payton….THINK AGAIN. Luck will not come to Indy this way – he will sit a year. You better get used to the fact you could lose double in this game and have Luck sit or insist on a trade like Eli did to avoid the “replacement” pressure.

Also, who would want to play for Indy if you treat people who have been dedicated to your city like this. Luck is watching, and does not like what he sees.

Unless you are a fan of the Patriots, Saints or Packers, Peyton Manning is guaranteed to be better than your favorite team’s quarterback

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Umm, he’s better than their team’s QB’s as well. Of course, those teams don’t need to change musch of anything in that position, and go after Manning, I’m just sayin’.

]]>By: raiders757http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571706
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:03:37 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571706Even if he can throw “tight spirals” and such, my main question is how will he hold up to the hits he’s going to take? To me, that’s the most important part with the type of surgery he had.

He is easily THE best QB of this era, despite what delusional Brady fans think, and he should take no shame in retiring if there’s a higher chance he can end up in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. I hop he can come back and play though, as it would be our loss not having in the game for a few more years. the guy is a field general like no other, and like I said, THE best o this modern era of the game.

]]>By: kaf39http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571701
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:01:38 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571701I think he will have a disappointing season next year if he plays.
]]>By: CKLhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571693
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:57:05 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571693When you think about it, these seemingly contradictory reports about how he is throwing don’t really contradict each other. It just depends on what side of the PM debate one is on. He could well be throwing much better than Dec but still not be close to what he was.
]]>By: gmen1987http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571634
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:21:02 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571634Rockets GM says:
Feb 10, 2012 4:13 AM
Unless you are a fan of the Patriots, Saints or Packers, Peyton Manning is guaranteed to be better than your favorite team’s quarterback… and (if healthy) it is up for a legitimate debate over the other guys too. He carried incredibly thin teams to 2 Superbowls.

==================================
Really Goobs? You maybe a rocket GM, but you are definitely no rocket scientist.

The Colts had quite a few good players other than Peyton Manning. What would you call Reggie Wayne, Dwight Feeney, Jeff Saturday, Marvin Harrison? Chop liver?

It’s an insult to those players to say that Peyton was the only reason the Colts did well during those seasons. Peyton wouldn’t done much without those players either.

Goobs, I can think of plenty NFL teams who have a better QB than Peyton right now.
Peyton was rather ordinary at best in the post season. He lost lots of home playoff games. Even his Super Bowl season he was rather ordinary. Joe Flacco has a better post season record than Peyton. That is Joe “freakin” Flacco, Goobs.

]]>By: Rockets GMhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571528
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:13:59 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571528Unless you are a fan of the Patriots, Saints or Packers, Peyton Manning is guaranteed to be better than your favorite team’s quarterback… and (if healthy) it is up for a legitimate debate over the other guys too. He carried incredibly thin teams to 2 Superbowls.
]]>By: kesher10http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571485
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:41:25 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571485Deb said, “Is he really worth that much money when you consider his age as well as his injury history?”

You mean the injury history where he played nearly 230 consecutive games? The history where he never missed a game from his rookie year until last season? That history?

]]>By: chazzmichaelmichaelshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571422
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:24:28 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571422Come on #18, with what u’ve made from Indy and endorsements, ur telling me u can’t rework that contract in order to play out ur career in Indy? WITHOUT handcuffing the franchise?!? If u can still play at 36 after cervical fusion, prove it, but no organization in their right mind is gonna pay $28mm to find out.
]]>By: briang123http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571414
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:15:51 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571414iLife just about all of us had zero idea Manning was hurt during the time his contract negotiation was in the news. Peyton got himself an extra 25+ million by hiding it. The Colts owe him nothing except the “Steve Carlton” option: retire so we don’t have to release you.
]]>By: dirtyharry1971http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571380
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:40 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571380If Buffalo cared about winning again they would hire Polian ASAP but thats never gonna happen. we will stick with Nix who doesnt have a clue and we will keep our string of NO PLAYOFFS going for another 10 years
]]>By: jjbaddhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571349
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:23:37 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571349Here is something I have been thinking about. Peyton got 26-28 million for NOTHING last year and I can understand the position Irsay is in now. Everyone, including myself thinks, or at least I did think, that Irsay should be loyal to Manning after all he has done for the Colts. Ok, after giving it some thought, he DID get last years salary as a token of loyalty, now in return, if Manning wants to prove that he is worthy of Irsay’s loyalty, Manning should restructure his contract before March 8, so that he dont get paid unless he plays in the coming season, or by training camp or something to show that he dont want to be paid unless he is able to play. That would be fair no?
]]>By: guestsingerhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571334
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:55:37 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571334“Why do people keep watching Pardon the Interruption? It’s like a SNL skit that’s gone on too long.”

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The only thing stranger is the smoldering sexual tension between Mike and Mike on the four letter.

]]>By: chowface86http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571331
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:54:00 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571331Peyton Manning text Ryan Leaf and told him the Chargers are trading Rivers for him.
]]>By: Debhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571328
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:49:37 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571328Even if Manning can play next year, at 36, how long will it be before his performance starts to deteriorate? Brett Favre is still arguably the toughest QB to play the modern game, and he didn’t perform successfully past 40. Is he really worth that much money when you consider his age as well as his injury history?
]]>By: tfbuckfutterhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571318
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:39:51 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571318Bill Polian: Builder of 5 Super Bowl losers.
]]>By: eagleswinhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571317
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:38:56 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571317This is also the same guy who gave Peyton a $90 mill contract without a physical and then got fired because Peyton lasted all of 1 practice before shutting it down for the year.
]]>By: rcalihttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571278
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:07:19 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571278Thanks Dr. Polian.

Now would Dr. Polian give Brett, I mean Peyton, $28 mill of his own money to back that statement up.

God, ain’t the the truth. When it comes to blah, blah, blah sports talk, give me MLB Network (Sean Casey is a hoot!) and Jim Rome and send the rest on a one way rocket ride to the sun.

]]>By: db105http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571216
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:19:30 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571216Question is will Polian return to a high level?
]]>By: buzzbissingerhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571203
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:14:29 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571203Time for another installment of the never ending saga of half-truths…
]]>By: mrbunglezzhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571202
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:12:42 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571202I hope Andrew Luck royally screws the colts franchise by opting to request a trade and pull an Eli/Elway on that cruddy franchise. Then they can be stuck with painter and orlovsky as their starting QB for yrs to come.
]]>By: TheNaturalMevshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571198
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:08:56 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571198Please football Gods, let the Colts cut Peyton and begin the Andrew Luck era. PLEASE
]]>By: westclaimshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571195
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:03:47 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571195All of the Cardinals bashing by a lot of reporters is a good thing. It tells us Cards fans, that he is coming to AZ. We’ve seen this before. It a precursor. Polian is being honest about this. A lot of reporters are not.
]]>By: aboveaveragejoe11http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/09/polian-predicts-peyton-will-return-at-a-high-level/#comment-1571192
Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:01:31 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=234536#comment-1571192It makes sense that if Polian thinks Peyton will return to his old self and Irsay doesn’t, Polian(s) would get cut loose. Irsay doesn’t want any opposition to his master rebuilding plan.

My response to the daily speculation about Peyton’s future has always been that Peyton can’t throw at an NFL level. And if that were the case, he wouldn’t be nearly as valuable to the 20+ teams claiming their interest in his services once the Colts cut him loose. This is the first somewhat credible report I’ve heard about Peyton’s arm strength. Last report in December made it sound like he was still taking baby steps in his progress – 25 throws of less than 30 yards. If in fact Peyton can be Peyton again, and the Colts do let him go, I hope that – as a Colts fan – he crushes his old team every chance he gets.